office

noun

ˈä-fəs How to pronounce office (audio)
Definition of officenext
1
as in department
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the company's main office is in Atlanta

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in duty
something one must do because of prior agreement one of the chief offices of a friend is to be there in someone's hour of need

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word office distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of office are duty, function, and province. While all these words mean "the acts or operations expected of a person or thing," office is typically applied to the function or service associated with a trade or profession or a special relationship to others.

they exercise the offices of the judge, the priest, the counsellor — W. E. Gladstone

In what contexts can duty take the place of office?

While the synonyms duty and office are close in meaning, duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling.

it is the judicial duty of the court, to examine the whole case — R. B. Taney

When is it sensible to use function instead of office?

While in some cases nearly identical to office, function implies a definite end or purpose or a particular kind of work.

the function of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to give information — Aldous Huxley

When could province be used to replace office?

The meanings of province and office largely overlap; however, province applies to a function, office, or duty that naturally or logically falls to one.

I felt it was not my province to inquire — Anne Brontë

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of office First responders attempted life-saving measures, but the teen, identified as Michael Turner, was pronounced dead shortly after midnight, the sheriff’s office told KSTP. —Kansas City Star, 6 July 2025 Some members of the City Council did not respond to requests for comment about the report and others deferred questions to the city manager’s office. —Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025 And while Jassy admits career success involves an element of luck and may include multiple setbacks, remaining persistent is what ultimately might land you a shot at the corner office. —Brit Morse, Fortune, 6 July 2025 Longtime meteorologist Troy Kimmel, who leads his own meteorological services company, told CBS Austin in May that local Texas offices such as the Austin/San Antonio office experienced some staffing shortages. —Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
  1. department
  2. duty
  3. agency
  4. responsibility
  5. bureau
  6. obligation
  7. desk
  8. need
Noun
  • Customer service isn’t a department, and customer experience isn’t just a strategy.
    — Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
  • Responding agencies including the sheriff’s office as well as Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and Holly Hill police departments.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 July 2025
Definition of department
Noun
  • In fact, Cadillac even dialed the power up for sport-ute duty, pulling 682 hp out of the 6.2-liter supercharged V8.
    — Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 15 July 2025
  • Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump began informing America’s trading partners about their new duty rates under his tariff regime.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 15 July 2025
Definition of duty
Noun
  • The Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office deferred to the Texas Game Wardens, the lead agency in the rescue, when contacted by PEOPLE.
    — Sam Gillette, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • The city approved her permits and the state environmental agency said the home would not negatively affect the environment.
    — Andrew Wimer, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of agency
Noun
  • The season sees Wyle's Dr. Robby shoulder the brunt of responsibility as his ER endures a stressful day, capped off with a mass casualty event that sees resources stretched thin.
    — Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 July 2025
  • Data protection policy is typically owned by the chief information security officer (CISO), but the responsibility for migrating to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) extends far beyond the security department.
    — Antonio Sanchez, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • But Hamilton, who runs the department’s detective bureau, warned that such gains could be eroded if the department continues to lose officers amid the city’s ongoing fiscal crisis.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
  • Laid-off reporters include Brandon Smith, Statehouse bureau chief and host of Indiana Week in Review; Rebecca Thiele, energy and environment reporter; Abigail Ruhman, health reporter; and Timoria Cunningham, labor and employment reporter.
    — Cate Charron, IndyStar, 8 July 2025
Definition of bureau
Noun
  • What's, what are, what is a citizen's obligation now?
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 July 2025
  • Redstone has borrowed heavily to meet debt obligations, including a $186-million term loan from Larry Ellison last year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • Globally, two-thirds of desk workers haven’t tried AI, often citing unclear permissions.
    — Curt Steinhorst, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Nick Saban commentates on the ESPN College Gameday desk prior to the 2024 SEC Championship between the Texas Longhorns and the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.
    — Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Definition of desk
Noun
  • This team favorite keeps your fitness goals on track—and, for many of us, it’s helped reduce screen time by cutting the need to constantly check our phones.
    — Clara McMahon, People.com, 9 July 2025
  • Adding another inside linebacker or two would be prudent, and Michigan has players on the board who could fill that need.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Definition of need

Browse Nearby Words

offhandedness
office
officeholder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

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